Flexitime recorder

ABSTRACT

The flexitime recorder has a timing pulse generator and a number of counters acting as time stores, with switches for connecting the counters to the generator so that personnel can switch on and switch off their respective counters. A correction pulse generator is provided for generating a correction pulse at a higher frequency than that of the timing pulses, and is connected to any one of the counters through a pulse train limiter and an address device, for altering the value on the counter.

United States Patent [191 Willmann et al.

[ Nov. 25, 1975 FLEXITIME RECORDER [75] Inventors: Erich Willmann, Zell (Neckar);

Reinhard Miiller, Esslingen (Neckar), both of Germany [73] Assignee: Simplex Time Recorder Co.,

Gardner, Mass.

[22] Filed: July 23, 1974 [21] App]. No; 491,067

[30] Foreign Application Priority Data July 25, 1973 Germany 23377ll [52] [1.8. CI. 235/92 T; 235/92 AC; 235/92 RE; 235/92 R; 324/186 [SI] Int. Cl. G04F 11/06 [58] Field of Search t. 235/92 T, 92 PF, 92 AC. 235/92 FL, 92 PL, 92 PE; 324/186; 58/24 A; 346/20 [56] References Cited UNITED STATES PATENTS 3,593,008 7/197l De Witt et all 235/92 T 3,641,321 2/1972 Tonne 235/92 AC 3,648,243 3/1972 Wiggins 11 235/92 AC 3,665,l65 5/1972 Strandberg et 61.. M 235/92 T 3.846.702 11/1974 Dziki et at 6 324/186 Primary Examiner-Joseph M. Thesz, Jr. Attorney. Agent, or Firm-Shenier & O'Connor [57] ABSTRACT 10 Claims, 2 Drawing Figures FLEXITIME RECORDER BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION The invention relates to a flexitime recorder having a timing pulse generating means and a plurality of counting means connected downstream thereof and acting as time stores, with switches for connecting any counting means to the timing pulse generating means and disconnecting any counting means from the timing pulse generating means, at will.

Flexitime recorders of this kind are known; they are provided with a timing pulse generator which is controlled by a synchronous clock and delivers, for example, 100 pulses per hour. The counting means, which are constructed as roller counting mechanisms, are switched on and off by means of encoded security elements such as identity cards or keys, and count the timing pulses delivered during the on time by the timing pulse generator. Accordingly, the counting means record the actual working time with an accuracy of 1/100 hour. Out time, such as duty absence, illness or the like, of a worker must be added in writing into lists with such a known flexitime recorder, making the operation of the flexitime system more difficult.

One flexitime recording system has a central data processing unit (MINFOS 300 System supplied by Hengstler) and has an input device at each terminal for entering such out times, which are then stored in the central unit. Expenditure of this kind is however not justified for flexitime recorders of the kind referred to above, which are usually employed in smaller plants.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION The flexitime recorder of the invention has a correction pulse generating means for generating correction pulses at a higher frequency than that of the timing pulse generating means, and the output of the correction pulse generating means is connected to the inputs of the counting means via pulse train limiting means adapted to transmit an adjustable number of correction pulses, and address means for calling up the counting means. The invention therefore enables each of the simply constructed counting means in a flexitime re corder of the kind referred to above to be supplied with a preselectable number of correction pulses and for the contents of any of the counting means to be corrected in this way so that the counting means represents the actual working time which is to be determined. Separate flexitime recording lists or the like need not be kept. The invention also permits subtraction of working time which has accidentally been counted in excess and has been recorded in a counting means if the counting means are reversible, i.e., if they can also operate in decreasing steps, and a device is provided for inverting the correction pulses of the pulse source.

To prevent the result being falsified by a correction pulse coinciding with a timing pulse at the input of a counting means, it is advantageous if the flexitime recorder further comprises means connected to the correction pulse generating means and the pulse train limiting means, and also connected to the timing pulse generating means, for suppressing any correction pulse which coincides with a timing pulse. Correction pulses which coincide with a timing pulse are therefore not transmitted to the pulse train counting means and are not counted; the timing pulses are not transmitted to the pulse train limiting means.

The number of correction pulses to be supplied to a specific counting means can be simply preselected if the pulse train limiting means comprises subtraction pulse counting means which operates by subtraction and if the address means is for setting an initial value on the subtraction pulse counting means. The number of correction pulses to be added to a specific time store counting means is therefore fed into the pulse train limiting means, which will transmit the incoming correction pulses to the appropriate time store counting means until the limiting means counting means has zero content and the pulse train limiting means is driven to out off, most conveniently via an AND circuit whose inputs are connected respectively to the pulse train limiting means and to the correction pulse generating means.

Correction pulses at a frequency (i.e., with a pulse sequence frequency) substantially higher than that of the timing pulse generating means can be produced without any additional expenditure in the flexitime recorder if the timing pulse generating means and the correction pulse generating means comprise a crystalcontrolled electronic clock and frequency dividing means having two outputs, one output providing the timing pulses and the other output providing the correction pulses. The frequency of the correction pulses will then be an integral multiple of that of the timing pulses.

The unauthorised addition of working time to the contents of a time store counting means can be prevented by a simple measure; a switch, operable by means of a security element such as a key or the like, can be connected to the correction pulse generating means and the time store counting means. If the key or some other encoded security element for this switch is handed only to specific supervisory personnel, it is only they who are able to alter the content of time store counting means using the correction pulses.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWING The invention will be further described, by way of example, with reference to the accompanying drawing, in which:

FIG. 1 is a front view of a preferred flexitime recorder in accordance with the invention; and

FIG. 2 is a diagrammatic view of the circuit of the flexitime recorder to the extent to which it relates to the invention.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF ONE EMBODIMENT FIG. 1 shows a front panel 10 of the flexitime recorder, which contains a clock 12 as display unit, a plurality of time stores or counting means 143 which are constructed as roller counting mechanisms, a corresponding number of lock switches 16a 163, an input device 18 for the correction pulses, an address device 20 and a further lock switch 22. Although seven time stores are shown in FIG. 1 and four in FIG. 2, there can be any suitable number. Each of the time stores contains a roller counter 24 and a reset button 26 and is provided with a plate 28 by means of which the time stores are consecutively numbered and can be provided with the name of the worker for whom the appropriate time store is intended. The lock switches 16a 163 are connected into a conductor which supplies to the respective time stores 14a 14g timing pulses generated by a pulse generator; when starting work. each worker uses a key which fits the appropriate lock switch in 3 order to connect his time store to the timing pulse generator, and on finishing work, he changes over the lock switch so that his time store content corresponds to his in-time.

Out times which must be accounted for in the flexitime balance can then be added to the contents of the time stores by means of the input device 18. The input device 18 contains a counting mechanism 180, for are ample a 4-digit counting mechanism, into which the out time to be accounted for is fed by means of input buttons 18b. in the illustrated embodiment, there are four input buttons l8h in accordance with the number of digits of the counting mechanism 18a and by means of which the desired number can be keyed into the appropriate digit of the counting mechanism 180 in unit steps. A reset button 180 is also provided for the counting mechanism 180.

An address means or address device 20 comprises adjusting knobs, for example two adjusting knobs 20a, 20b, with a corresponding number display by means of which all time stores with the numbers 01 99 can be selected. A lock switch 22 can then be unlocked by means of an appropriate key, whereupon the correcting operation proceeds since the lock switch 22 switches in a conductor which carries correcting pulses to the counting mechanism 180 and to the time stores.

FIG. 2 discloses a conventional timing pulse generator which is a crystal-controlled timing pulse generator containing a frequency divider network. A minute pulse is tapped off on a conductor 32 at the end of the frequency divider network, that is to say the timing pulse transmitter delivers one pulse per minute along this conductor 32. Pulses with a frequency of 8 Hz are also tapped off from the output of one of the divider stages of the frequency divider network, by means of a conductor 34; these latter pulses are the correction pulses.

A conductor 36 branches from the conductor 32 to the clock 12; the conductor 32 also extends to the input of a programming unit in the form of a so-called signal clock 38 which delivers a day or 24 hour program along a conductor 40, which is the output of a signal clock 38. The day program has two states L and O (conducting and non-conducting), in dependence on a program which is stored in the signal clock 38, for example by means of a circuit board, and is scanned with the minute pulse. The pulses obtained from the day program drive a bistable element in the signal clock 38. For example, if the working day begins at 0700 hours, the mid-day break lasts from 1300 hours to 1400 hours and the working day ends at 1900 hours, a signal will be applied to the conductor 40 between 0700 and i300 hours and between 1400 and 1900 hours while no signal will be applied during the rest of the day.

The conductor 40 forms one input of an AND circuit 42, the other input of which carries the minute pulses via a conductor 44. The output of the AND network 42 is connected via the lock switches 16a, 16b, to the inputs of the time stores [40, 14b,

The conductor 34 which carries the correction pulses is connected via the lock switch 22 and an AND circuit to the input of a counter 52 which subtracts in unit steps. The number of correction pulses which are to be added to a time store are fed into the counter 52 by means of an input device, which in the illustrated embodiment comprises the input buttons 18b. To prevent overlapping of correction pulses and minute pulses at the inputs of the time stores falsifying the working time 4 correction, the minute pulses are supplied via an inverter 54 to the second input of the AND circuit 50. Inversion of the minute pulses and the AND circuit 50 ensure that the correction pulses are transferred to the counter 52 only in the intervals between the minute pulses.

The counter 52 is so designed that its output conductor 56 carries a signal (ie, the counter 52 is conducting) when the counter contents are other than zero while its output conductor 56 carries no signal (i.e., the counter is nonconducting) when the counter is set to zero. A further AND circuit 58, whose inputs are connected to the output conductor 56 and to a branch of the conductor 34, ensures that the correction pulses reach the input 60 of an address device 62 only for as long as the contents of the counter 52 differ from zero, so that the transmission of correction pulses in inter rupted when the decremental operation of the counter has reached zero. In the illustrated embodiment, the "address of the desired time store is logged into the address device 62 by means of the adjusting knobs 20a and 20b, i.e., the appropriate time store is called up. The correction pulses then pass via conductors 64a, 64b, to the input of the particular time store 14a, 14b, which has been defined by the address device 62.

The disclosures of our co-pending Applications of today's date and claiming priority from German Patent Applications P 23 37 7608-53 and P 23 37 712.0-53 are incorporated herein by reference.

We claim:

1. A flexitime recorder comprising:

timing pulse generating means for generating timing pulses at a first frequency;

a plurality of pulse-actuated time store counting means for counting said timing pulses;

a plurality of switch means for controlling the time registered in respective said time store counting means in accordance with the in-time of persons with whom the individual time store counting means are associated;

correction pulse generating means for generating correction pulses at a frequency substantially higher than said first frequency, for transmission to a said time store counting means to correct the time registered therein;

pulse train limiting means associated with said correction pulse generating means, for allowing a predetermined number of pulses to be transmitted from said correction pulse generating means to said time store counting means;

adjusting means for altering said number of pulses transmitted by said pulse train limiting means;

address means connected to said pulse train limiting means and said time store counting means, for permitting said correction pulses to pass to a said time store counting means; and

altering means for altering said address means to permit said correction pulses to pass to a different said time store counting means.

2. The flexitime recorder of Claim 1, and further comprising means connected to said correction pulse generating means and said pulse train limiting means, and also connected to said timing pulse generating means, for suppressing any correction pulse which coincides with a timing pulse.

3. The flexitime recorder of Claim 2, wherein said pulse train limiting means comprises subtraction pulse counting means which operates by subtraction and wherein said adjusting means is for setting an initial value on said subtraction pulse counting means.

4. The flexitime recorder of Claim 2, wherein said timing pulse generating means and said correction pulse generating means comprise a crystal-controlled electronic clock and frequency dividing means having two outputs, one said output providing said timing pulses and the other said output providing the correction pulses.

5. The flexitime recorder of claim 1, wherein said pulse train limiting means comprises subtraction pulse counting means which operates by subtraction and wherein said adjusting means is for setting an initial value on said subtraction pulse counting means.

6. The flexitime recorder of claim 5, wherein said timing pulse generating means and said correction pulse generating means comprise a crystal-controlled electronic clock and frequency dividing means having two outputs, one said output providing said timing pulses and the other said output providing the correction pulses.

7. The t'lexitime recorder of claim 5, and further comprising security element actuated switch means 6 connected to said correction pulse generating means and said time store counting means for preventing unauthorised transmission of said correction pulses to said time store counting means.

8. The flexitime recorder of claim 1, wherein said timing pulse generating means and said correction pulse generating means comprise a crystal-controlled electronic clock and frequency dividing means having two outputs, one said output providing said timing pulses and the other said output providing the correction pulses.

9. The flexitime recorder of claim 8, and further comprising security element actuated switch means connected to said correction pulse generating means and said time store counting means for preventing unauthorised transmission of said correction pulses to said time store counting means.

10. The flexitime recorder of claim I, and further comprising security element actuated switch means connected to said correction pulse generating means and said time store counting means for preventing unauthorised transmission of said correction pulses to said time store counting means. 

1. A flexitime recorder comprising: timing pulse generating means for generating timing pulses at a first frequency; a plurality of pulse-actuated time store counting means for counting said timing pulses; a plurality of switch means for controlling the time registered in respective said time store counting means in accordance with the in-time of persons with whom the individual time store counting means are associated; correction pulse generating means for generating correction pulses at a frequency substantially higher than said first frequency, for transmission to a said time store counting means to correct the time registered therein; pulse train limiting means associated with said correction pulse generating means, for allowing a predetermined number of pulses to be transmitted from said correction pulse generating means to said time store counting means; adjusting means for altering said number of pulses transmitted by said pulse train limiting means; address means connected to said pulse train limiting means and said time store counting means, for permitting said correction pulses to pass to a said time store counting means; and altering means for altering said address means to permit said correction pulses to pass to a different said time store counting means.
 2. The flexitime recorder of Claim 1, and further comprising means connected to said correction pulse generating means and said pulse train limiting means, and also connected to said timing pulse generating means, for suppressing any correction pulse which coincides with a timing pulse.
 3. The flexitime recorder of Claim 2, wherein said pulse train limiting means comprises subtraction pulse counting means which operates by subtraction and wherein said adjusting means is for setting an initial value on said subtraction pulse counting means.
 4. The flexitime recorder of Claim 2, wherein said timing pulse generating means and said correction pulse generating means comprise a crystal-controlled electronic clock and frequency dividing means having two outputs, one said output providing said timing pulses and the other said output providing the correction pulses.
 5. The flexitime recorder of claim 1, wherein said pulse train limiting means comprises subtraction pulse counting means which operates by subtraction and wherein said adjusting means is for setting an initial value on said subtraction pulse counting means.
 6. The flexitime recorder of claim 5, wherein said timing pulse generating means and said correction pulse generating means comprise a crystal-controlled electronic clock and frequency dividing means having two outputs, one said output providing said timing pulses and the other said output providing the correction pulses.
 7. The flexitime Recorder of claim 5, and further comprising security element actuated switch means connected to said correction pulse generating means and said time store counting means for preventing unauthorised transmission of said correction pulses to said time store counting means.
 8. The flexitime recorder of claim 1, wherein said timing pulse generating means and said correction pulse generating means comprise a crystal-controlled electronic clock and frequency dividing means having two outputs, one said output providing said timing pulses and the other said output providing the correction pulses.
 9. The flexitime recorder of claim 8, and further comprising security element actuated switch means connected to said correction pulse generating means and said time store counting means for preventing unauthorised transmission of said correction pulses to said time store counting means.
 10. The flexitime recorder of claim 1, and further comprising security element actuated switch means connected to said correction pulse generating means and said time store counting means for preventing unauthorised transmission of said correction pulses to said time store counting means. 